USA

In 2011 The Echo Foundation founded The Footsteps Global Initiative: At Home in North Carolina, where 11 Student Ambassadors researched poverty, education, developed fundraising and literacy coaching skills, put classroom libraries together, collaborated with educators, worked one-on-one with younger students, and analyzed and reflected on their experiences along the way.

Upon learning that one-third of Lexington, North Carolina Middle School students read below grade level the Student Ambassadors were compelled to tutor the students and create a classroom library. They organized a book drive so that students could have access to reading materials. They were able to donate 3,445 books.